Floods

Flooding is one of the most common natural disasters in San Antonio. Some floods happen slowly, but flash floods can happen very quickly—sometimes in just a few minutes—especially during heavy rain.

Stay alert, move to higher ground, and stay safe.

Stay Alert: Before a Flood

Flood risk depends on many things like how much it rains, the shape of the land, new buildings in the area, and how well water drains — not just what happened in the past.

Floods can happen anywhere, but they are more likely in low-lying areas like creeks, rivers, bridges, drainage ditches, or flood-prone zones.

Know Your Risk

Turn Around Don't Drown - It is never safe to drive or walk into flood waters. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

Flood maps show which areas are more likely to flood. These maps help you choose the right kind of flood insurance, since regular home insurance doesn't cover flood damage. Visit FEMA's Flood Maps.

Stay Informed

  • For individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, deafblind, or have limited English literacy, text AHAS to 210-880-2072 to receive accessible emergency alerts in ASL, voice, text, and braille formats.
  • Sign up for general City text messages or text COSAGOV to 73224.
  • Follow @cosagov on social media.
  • Monitor the National Weather Service.
  • Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are issued by the National Weather Service for severe weather warnings, and by the City for life threatening local emergencies. Keep WEA notifications enabled on your mobile device to ensure you receive alerts.

Prepare

  • Build an emergency kit.
  • Be aware of areas that are prone to flooding, visit BexarFlood.org.
  • Be aware of street closures, visit the City's Street Closures Map.
  • Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your structure.

Move to Higher Ground: During a Flood

Your safety is the top priority during a flood.

  • Depending on the type of flooding:
    • Evacuate if told to do so.
    • Move to higher ground or a higher floor.
    • Stay where you are.
  • Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.
  • If water rises around your car, leave it and head to higher ground—but only if it's safe to do so. Both you and your car can be swept away quickly.

NOTE: Remember, your life is more valuable than any vehicle or belongings.

Unsheltered Neighbors

To support our unsheltered neighbors, the City partners with local nonprofits to expand outreach efforts and share important safety information ahead of potential floods. This includes reminders to never seek shelter in tunnels, creeks, low bridges, or open drainage areas, which can quickly become life-threatening.

If you need urgent assistance, call 9-1-1. For information about available community resources, please contact the City's Community Connections Hotline at 210-207-1799, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Pets

  • Keep your pet's ID and microchip information updated.
  • Bring outdoor pets inside immediately.
  • Prepare for potential evacuation by having pet carriers and supplies ready.
  • If evacuation isn't possible, create a safe, enclosed space indoors to protect them.

Stay Safe: After the Flood

  • Follow instructions from local authorities.
  • Only return home when they say it is safe.
  • Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing, and sturdy boots during cleanup.
  • Use appropriate masks or face coverings if cleaning mold or debris.
  • People with asthma, lung conditions, or weakened immune systems should stay out of buildings with water leaks or visible or smelly mold.
  • Children should not help with disaster cleanup.
  • Watch out for snakes and other animals that may have entered your home.
  • Be aware of electrocution hazards. Never touch electrical equipment if it's wet or if you're standing in water. If safe, turn off your electricity at the main breaker.
  • Stay out of floodwater — it can be contaminated, contain dangerous debris, or be electrically charged by downed power lines.
  • Use generators or gasoline-powered equipment only outdoors and away from windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Resources

The following resources and websites can help you further prepare for, respond to, and recover from a flood.

City of San Antonio Services
CPS Energy
San Antonio Water System (SAWS)
Streets & Traffic
Community Resources
Disaster & Emergency Planning

Related Links

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